Many homeowners are unaware that they need to have their furnaces maintained regularly in order to maintain their efficiency and avoid serious long-term issues. A malfunctioning furnace not only puts your home at risk but can also cause you to be uncomfortable during the winter months.
To ensure that your furnace is working properly, it’s important to have your furnace inspected each year by a professional. Here’s what furnace maintenance includes and how it can keep your home safe and comfortable year-round.
Checking the Heat Exchanger for Signs of Corrosion or Damage
A furnace repair expert should always check the heat exchanger to see if there are any signs of corrosion or damage. The heat exchanger is the most important part of any heating system and keeping it clean will ensure that your furnace continues to work properly for many years.
If the heat exchanger is damaged, this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or a fire hazard because of leakage in your system. A qualified heating contractor should be able to find these problems with their infrared camera when they do regular maintenance, as noted on jakservices.com/furnace-tune-up/.
Inspecting the Vent System and Air Intake Grilles to Remove Blockages
One of the first things that the technician will do is inspect your furnace to ensure there’s proper airflow. They’ll check for blockages in the venting system and around the air intake grilles. A malfunctioning blower fan, dirty filters, and even a clogged air intake grille will cause your furnace to operate inefficiently. Replacement of air filters is also done during the maintenance and inspection.
If your vent system is dirty, clogged or has any blockages, the heat will not reach its intended destination and you’ll end up paying more money on your heating bills. The air intake grille is responsible for bringing in cold outside air so that your furnace can heat it up and distribute warm, comfortable heat throughout the house. A detailed inspection of all furnace components will ensure that any problems are fixed and the system works as it should.
Checking the Blower Motor and Testing the Amp Draw
The blower motor is an integral part of the furnace. It is what draws fresh air into your home and pushes it through the ducts to all parts of your house, creating circulation and warmth in cold weather. During maintenance, the technician will check the blower motor and test its amp draw to ensure it’s operating correctly.
In addition to checking the blower motor, furnace technicians also routinely inspect electrical components for proper operation during maintenance visits. This is because a faulty component can cause an overload in the system, resulting in overheating. If this happens, it can lead to black soot being deposited on heat exchanger fins and other parts of the furnace exposed to high temperatures.
Examining and Cleaning the Blower, Removing any Debris
Furnace maintenance work also includes cleaning the furnace blower. If you don’t clean out debris that accumulates on this part of the furnace, it serves as a food source to pests like mice who will nest inside your home and cause an infestation. Debris build-up on the blower can be caused by a blockage in the furnace ducts above it.
It can also be caused by a blockage in the furnace itself. Debris build-up also increases the stress on your blower and decreases its overall lifespan by shortening its ability to spin freely. It can also cause an imbalance due to added weight from accumulated dust, dirt, leaves, and other materials caught up inside of it. A technician can help you to clean the blower and remove any blockages in the ductwork and furnace.
Don’t Ignore Small Furnace Problems
When you notice anything unusual about the way your furnace is operating, consult with a furnace repair expert to take care of it before it gets worse. Oftentimes, the smallest problems are what lead to major furnace issues down the road. For example, a dirty air filter or an incorrectly set thermostat could result in increased energy usage that leads to more expensive utility bills each month.
By taking care of small problems early on before they become bigger headaches down the road, you can protect yourself from unexpected expenses associated with major repairs or replacements to your furnace.
